Begging and tourism: between visual imagery and a social reality

The purpose of this study was to see visual imagery and a social reality. Cirebon is one of the tourist destination city because it has cultural value, history, and architectural value. As a location with many tourists, it becomes a place with economic potential that attracts many parties, even for beggars. Tourism and beggars, like two sides of a coin, one side prioritize physical beauty and display a positive impression, while the other side shows a beggar activity that shows the social gap of the existing society. The purpose of the paper is to explore the characteristics of beggars and the use of space by beggars. Descriptive research conducted at Sang Cipta Great Mosque, Kasepuhan, Cirebon, during the period of 2016-2017. Content analysis was obtained through observation and in-depth interviews with ten beggars and a number of tourists performing ritual activities around the mosque. The conclusion shows that beggars and tourists in Sang Cipta Great Mosque area have a mutualism symbiotic relationship that needs each other. The implications of the research have an impact on knowledge inputs for tourism businesses and contribute as inputs to government policies related to the tourism industry.